IMPORTANT: We currently have a number of bugs related to image cropping and are actively trying to resolve them. In the meantime, we have disabled cropping. Apologies for any inconvenience. Stay informed: radiopaedia.org/chat

Medulloblastoma - SHH

Case contributed by Frank Gaillard
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Headaches.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Female
mri

A large minimally enhancing right sided cerebellar mass is present with prominently reduced ADC values. Acquired tonsillar descent and hydrocephalus. EVD in situ with blood in the occipital horn. 

Low ADC values are in keeping with high cellularity favoring a medulloblastoma (SHH). 

Case Discussion

The patient went on to have a resection. 

Histology

MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION:

The sections show a densely cellular malignant tumor with adjacent cerebellar cortex. It has a nodular appearance with scattered pale islands, as well as forming sheets. No rosettes are seen. The tumor cells have high N/C ratio with enlarged hyperchromatic nuclei, nuclear molding, granular chromatin, inconspicuous nucleoli and scanty cytoplasm. There is no anaplasia. Many mitoses are identified. The tumor cells are focally GFAP as well as weakly chromogranin and synaptophysin positive. The Ki-67 index is about 30%. INI-1 shows normal staining pattern. No nuclear staining for B-catenin is seen. YAP1 and GAB1 are both apparently up-regulated, indicating Sonic Hedgehog subgroup.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS:

Medulloblastoma (Desmoplastic/nodular subtype), WHO Grade IV. Sonic Hedgehog subgroup.

Discussion

In this situation, one can be quite specific with a pre-operative diagnosis. Not only is this lesion almost certainly a medulloblastoma (young adults are a definite second peak of incidence, typically in the cerebellar hemisphere rather than vermis) but the SHH subtype can also be predicted with confidence. 

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.